A Derry man convicted of a series of raids on pensioners will not begin his 15 year sentence until the year 2000, when he finishes an earlier eight year term for rape.
Thomas Burke (36), from Eglantine Terrace, was out of prison on licence when he carried out the robberies on March 16th last year. Belfast Crown Court heard he had forced his way into three neighbouring houses at Strathfoyle, threatened the elderly occupants.
In the third house he was tackled by a 69 year old visitor who first kicked him in the groin and then wrestled him out of the house and on to the lawn.
In the course of the fight the elderly man was cut on the head with the butt of the knife, requiring 30 stitches to the wound. The police arrived to find Burke had been subdued by his victims with the help of other neighbours.